Madison County, Illinois - Chapter 38: Libraries of the County, 1912

The Edwardsville Library in 1819 - Present Edwardsville Public Library Associa¬ tion - The Hayner Memorial Library - Shurtleff-Carnegie Library - Other Li¬ braries.

Edwardsville enjoys the distinction of hav¬ ing established the first public library in the state of Illinois. Just when it was organized is unknown, but the writer has before him a catalogue thereof bearing date, November 30, 1819. It was a regularly organized associa¬ tion, shown by the fact that the catalogue was "drawn (up) for the use of shareholders." It is the property of Ansel L. Brown, editor of the Edwardsville Democrat, and a descend¬ ant, on both the paternal and maternal sides, of two of the oldest families in the county. How long this library association existed, or who constituted it, there is no known record to tell, but it eventually dissolved and part of the books fell to John T. Lusk, Mr. Brown's maternal grandfather. The catalogue is on a single large sheet and contains a list of 121 volumes. It is yellow with age, but a neat piece of job work, still perfectly legible. It was printed by Hooper Warren,' editor of the Spectator, the first paper published in the county. Mr. Brown intends to have it framed under glass and placed on exhibition in the Edwardsville Public Library. As a matter of historic interest and to show the literary taste of our forefathers the editor copies the cata¬ logue entire:

"American State Papers (12 vols.), Adams' De¬ fence, Burns' Poems, Bigland's England, Blair's Lectures, Brydon's Tour, Butler's Hudibras, Beau¬ ties of History, Bartram's Travels, Belknap's Ameri¬ can Biography, British Spy, Coelebs in Search of a Wife, Covvper's Homer, Campaign in Russia, Car¬ ver's Travels, Camilla, or a Picture of Youth; Clarke's Travels, Christian Researches in Asia, Clarkson s History, Clark's Naval History, Depon's Voyage, Domestic Encyclopedia, Ely's Journal, Ele¬ ments of Criticism, Ferguson's Roman Republic, Federalist, Guy Mannering, Gibbon's Rome (8 vols.), Goldsmith's Works (6 vols.), Grand Pre's Voyage, History of Caracas, History of Chili, History of Greece, History of Charles Fifth, History of Eng¬ land, Hawkworth's Voyages, Humboldt's New Spain, Jefferson's Notes, Letters of Junius, Marshall's Life of Washington, with Atlas; McFingal, a Modern Epic Poem; Mayor's Ancient Geography and His¬ tory, Modern Europe, McLeod on the Revelation, McKenzie's Voyage, Moore's Poems, McNevins' Switzerland, Ossian's Poems, Practical Education, Plutarch's Lives, Porter's Travels, Ramsay's Wash¬ ington, Rob Roy, Rollins' . Ancient History, with Atlas (8 vols.) ; Rumford's Essays, Robertson's America, Scottish Chiefs, Sterne's Works (5 vols.) ; Scott's Works (4 vols.) ; Salmagundi, Shakespeare's Plays (6 vols.) ; Spectator (10 vols.); Tales of My Landlord, Telemachus, Thaddeus of Warsaw,

Travels of Anacharsis, Thompson's Seasons, Turnbull's Voyage, Universal Gazetteer, Vicissitudes Abroad (6 vols.) ; Virginia Debates, Vicar of Wake¬ field, Views of Louisiana, Wirt's Life of Patrick Henry, Watt's Logic, Wealth of Nations, Young's Night Thoughts, Zimmerman on National Pride.

This is certainly an admirable selection of books for a small library in a pioneer set¬ tlement on the border. Doubtless it had a wide influence in raising the standard of cul¬ ture in the community, or rather, it would be fairer to say that the standard works contained in that library reflected the existing status of culture in the new settlement.

The next public library established in Illi¬ nois, probably was one which is recorded in Rev. A. T. Norton's "History of the Presby¬ terian Church in Illinois" and is worthy of a place in this volume from the fact that one of its officers was a distinguished United States Senator, Hon. D. J. Baker, who later removed to Alton and resided there until his death. The record reads : "An organization called The Kaskaskia Social Library Associa¬ tion" was made November 7, 1826. Its officers were : Col. Thomas Mather, librarian ; Miss Frances Brard, treasurer; Mrs. Susan Lamb, Mrs. Bond, Mrs. E. H. Morrison, Rev. J. M. Ellis, Mr. D. J. Baker, Mr. St. Vrain, standing committee. The sum necessary to constitute membership was from twenty-five cents to one dollar or over, according to the voluntary sub¬ scription of each person becoming a member. Here is a receipt given by Rev. John Mathews to D. J. Baker.

"Received of Mr. D. J. Baker (Esq.), Treasurer of the Library Society of Kaskas¬ kia, one dollar sixty-two and a half cents, to pay over to Mr. Ellis for books bought for said society.

The Miss Frances Brard referred to above was a highly educated lady of French parentage. She was born in Baltimore where her parents had fled during the insurrection in San Domingo where they were resident. She came to Illinois in 1819 to make her home with relatives. She subsequently became the wife of Rev. John M. Ellis, the famous pioneer preacher and educator.

As noted above, a public library existed in Edwardsville in 1819. Sixty years after that date the present library association was or¬ ganized by the enterprise of leading ladies of the city. At a meeting held May 3, 1879, an organization was effected and a charter obtained later from the secretary of state.

Mr. John A. Prickett, one of the trustees of the Episcopal church, offered the society the use of that edifice, and the library was opened there with one hundred books donated by Mr. Prickett, and other books purchased with a fund of $100 donated by a committee which had raised money for the soldiers and had this surplus on hand. This was a humble begin¬ ning for an institution that now boasts of 4,500 books and is housed in an elegant Car¬ negie Library building.

E. M. Prickett, Vice President; Mrs. M. J. Hadley, Corresponding Secretary ; Mrs. A. A. Perley, Recording Secretary; Mrs. J. G. Irwin, Treasurer. Miss Mary Wallace was appointed librarian, and the library was opened every Saturday afternoon and evening.

For twenty-seven years the library had a peripatetic existence until it found a per¬ manent home in 1906. January 1, 1881, it was removed from the Episcopal church to a frame building on St. Louis street owned by Judge Cyrus L. Cook. Three years later it found a home in a building on Second street, owned by Mr. Mumme. In July, 1887, new quarters were obtained in a building on St. Louis street, now owned by F. W. Overbeck, the second time it had found a home on that thorough¬ fare. In August, 1890, another removal was made, this time to a room over the Madison Mercantile building which was leased for three years. In 1892 the library was offered to the city but the council ignored the proposition. However it granted the library the use of a room in the second story of the new City building, rent and lights free, which offer was gratefully accepted, this with other assistance and some timely dona¬ tions gave the association a new lease of life. Meanwhile, through the persistent efforts of Hon. Chas. Boeschenstein a Carnegie dona¬ tion of $12,000 was obtained for the erection of a library building, much to the joy of the ladies whose self-sacrificing labors had carried the association through many years of struggle and vicissitude. They now saw the fruitage of their labors in a permanent home and a public tax sufficient to sustain it. A site for the build¬ ing was granted by the council in the public park, where the corner stone was laid in May, 1905. The building was erected at a cost of $12,500, whereupon the Ladies Board donated the books, cases, furnishings and equipment to the new enterprise. The new building was dedicated in July, 1906, the doors thrown open to the public and Miss Sarah Coventry installed as librarian.

The ladies of the old board still having money in the treasury, took upon themselves the furnishing of the reading and reference rooms which was done in elegant style and taste. Their last gift was a dictionary and a set of the new International Encyclopedia, thus closing for many of them twenty-seven years of active service for the public, every labor a free-will offering, each paying her yearly fee, as others did, giving with gladness of her time, strength and ability that the work might go forward. To Mr. John A. Prickett is due the honor of inaugurating the library movement in Edwardsville and to the Ladies Board all praise for faithful service.

The ladies who severally acted as librarians from the beginning until Miss Sarah Coven¬ try's appointment in 1891, were Miss Mary Wallace, Miss Emma Bickelhaupt, Mrs. Fiegenbaum (nee Miss Julia Gillespie) Miss Gilian Torrence, Miss Florence Benedict, Miss May Gillespie, Miss Anna Kern and Miss Jessie McCorkle. In 1894 the board sustained a severe affliction in the death of Mrs. Joseph Pogue, a valued member from the first or¬ ganization. In May, 1895, Mrs. M. M. Dale resigned as president, after sixteen years of faithful service.

From its inception to the removal to the Carnegie building the association was sustained entirely by the efforts of the ladies. In addi¬ tion to yearly and life membership fees from subscribers the ladies raised funds by a series of entertainments, concerts, lectures, parties, festivals, operas, cantatas, theatricals, etc. - whatever would entertain and benefit the pub¬ lic and at the same time bring funds into the treasury, was resorted to and with uniform suc¬ cess. In this way the institution was sustained and the number of books in the library kept steadily on the increase. In the beginning the library numbered one hundred volumes. By 1882 it had increased to 1,028; in 1894 to 2,200; in 1902, to 3,600. At present it includes standard works, while its reading and reference rooms are supplied with all the latest newspapers, magazines and periodicals, both literary and scientific. The library is sustained by a tax of $1,200 per year.

Mrs. Sarah Coventry, who has served for twenty-one years in that capacity. She is highly accomplished in her profession and to her faithful and intelligent service much of its success is due.

The library building occupies a delightful location in the beautiful public park. The edifice is built of Bedford stone and is a hand¬ some structure architecturally. Its interior aredifice was erected in 1891 by the late John E. Hayner, in memory of his wife, Mrs. Jennie D. Hayner, and the Annex by his grandson Mr. John A. Haskell, in 1906. The total cost of the building was $33,000. It is located on the corner of Fourth and State streets. The ma¬ terial is brick with basement of Alton limestone with trimmings of Bedford stone. The style of architecture is known as "Old English." rangement is convenient and its finishing and furnishing elegant and artistic. Its library, reference and reading rooms are all that could be desired. It is open every afternoon in the week and it has no' more enthusiastic patrons than the school children. In addition to the Carnegie and School libraries the high standard of culture in Edwardsville is shown by the fact that there are, at least, a score of private libraries in the city any one of which would ex¬ cite admiration by its scope and high literary standard.

The main hall, with its lofty vaulted ceiling of open timber work, its handsome book cases, its long windows and polished floor, is an impos¬ ing apartment. The librarian's office, the refer¬ ence and reading room and the annex library room open into the main hall. In the basement is another hall of same size equipped with cases filled mainly with works of reference. On the ground floor of the annex is the children's room, beautifully and appropriately furnished. The furnishings of the whole building are ele¬ gant and costly. The walls are adorned with choice paintings and engravings, including por¬ traits of Mr. John E. Hayner and his wife, Mrs. Jennie D. Hayner, and also of Mrs. J. J.

During the year 1911, 44,565 books were is¬ sued to patrons. On February 1, 1912, the library contained 15,370 volumes and included the valuable medical libraries of Dr. W. A. Haskell and Dr. R . Gibson, donated to the association.

The donors of the library have also provided for its permanent endowment, so that there will never be any tax on the citizens for its mainte¬ nance. The resources of the library include donations by Mr. Hayner and his heirs as below.

Other resources include $5,000 endowment contributed by directors and citizens and an annual donation of $500 from Mr. and Mrs. William Eliot Smith. The lot on which the building stands was donated by Mrs. C. L. \\ right and Mrs. O. S. Stowell, daughters of the late Dr. B. K. Hart.

The origin of what is now the Jennie D. Hayner Library Association dates back to 1852. On the 19th of December, 1852, a card appeared in the Alton Daily Courier calling a meeting of citizens at the Common Council rooms in the interest of organizing a circulat¬ ing library and reading room. At that meet¬ ing, and others subsequently held, a joint stock company was organized under the name of Al¬ ton Library Association, with shares of $5.00 each. Officers and directors were elected, a room rented and books purchased and donated. The history of the society for the next fourteen years was one of many vicissi¬ tudes and changes of location. During war time the management became lax and the asso¬ ciation was in danger of dissolution. At length the ladies came to the rescue, and on February 10, 1866, the library and all its be¬ longings were purchased by them at public sale for the nominal sum of $165, that being the amount of the indebtedness. Foremost in the work were Mrs. J. J. Mitchell and Mrs. A. S. Barry. A reorganization was effected and a board of directors chosen consisting equally of ladies and gentlemen. This management continued for three years when the gentle¬ men retired and the new board was composed entirely of ladies. For the next twelve years the fortunes of the library were variable ; it was twice ousted from its room in the City building by fire. It was supported by the exertions of the directors, by suppers, fairs, lecturers, concerts, donations of friends and receipts from patrons, but although it grew steadily its efforts at expansion were hampered by lack of suitable quarters. In March, 1890, Mr. Hayner announced his intention of erect¬ ing a building for the use of the association, and his philanthropic offer was gratefully ac¬ cepted. W ork was promptly commenced and on June 1, 1891, the spacious new edifice opened its doors with a grand reception to the public. The name of the organization was changed to the "Jennie D. Hayner Associa¬ tion,'' in memory of Mr. Hayner's wife who died in 1888. It was a provision of the donor that the self-perpetuating library board should always consist of ladies. Mr. Hayner died in I9°3, but his heirs continued his beneficent work.

Haley in 1855, and in 1857 John M. Pearson, who seems to have held over until the re-or¬ ganization in 1866, when Hon. Robert Smith became president. He was followed in 1867-8 by Capt. E. Hollister.

This last year a full board of lady directors was chosen : Mesdames J. J. Mitchell, H. W. Billings, E. Hollister A. S. Barry, N. Han¬ son, J. H. Hibbard, L. O. Kendall, W. T. Mil¬ ler, R. G. Perley, J. W. Schweppe, and P. B. Whipple. Mrs. Mitchell was elected president and served until 1873. She was succeeded by Mrs. E. Hollister. Mrs. R. G. Perley was president from 1875 to 1882, but being abroad much of the time, Mrs. A. T. Hawley, vice president, presided. Mrs. J. P. Laird was president from 1882 to her death September 9, 1909, except in 1888 when Mrs. W. W. Martin filled the office. Among the ladies prominent in the association, in addition to those named above, have been Mesdames A. K. Root, H. C. Priest, H. S. Mathews, J. F. Randall, W. B. Pierce, A. S. Haskell, R. W. Atwood, W. A. Haskell, F. K. Nichols, J. D. Hayner, N. D. Williams, C. L. Wright, O. S. Stowell, E. P. Wade, C. M. Crandall, M. F. Topping, H. B. Eaton, M. C. Hayner, William Eliot Smith, W. F. Everts, Theo. D. Wead, Eunice L. Drury. The present board of direct¬ ors consists of : Mrs. M. C. Hayner, presi¬ dent; Mrs. H. S. Mathews, vice president; Mrs. E. L. Drury, treasurer; Mrs. Theo. D. Wead, secretary; Airs. W. A. Haskell, Mrs. J. A. Haskell, Mrs. E. M. Bowman, Mrs. W. E. Smith, Mrs. H. Stanford, Mrs. H. H. He¬ witt, Miss Eunice Smith. In 1880 Miss Flo¬ rence Dolbee was elected librarian, a position she still fills with eminent ability and with sat¬ isfaction to the public. She is ably assisted by her sister, Miss Hattie Dolbee.

The latest addition to the strictly library buildings of the county is the Carnegie Library at Shurtleff College, Upper Alton, which is nearly completed and will be open to the pub¬ lic in April, 1912. To found this institution

Andrew Carnegie donated $15,000, on condi¬ tion that the college raised $15,000 more for an endowment. This was done and the build¬ ing erected in the fall of 1911 thus represent¬ ing an investment of $30,000. But this is not all : the Shurtleff library, which will be housed in the new edifice, contains some 15,000 vol¬ umes, the accumulation and accretion of eighty years. Many of the books are of great value, rare and scarce volumes and first editions. It is next to the largest library in the county, but has never had suitable accommodations. Now, with proper housing, in quarters specially adapted for the purpose, its usefulness will be greatly increased. The library is for the use of the faculty and students, but will be open to the townspeople on certain conditions.

The new edifice is located on the northwest part of the college campus, at the corner of Seminary street and College avenue, a very convenient location for both students and citi¬ zens. The building is of pressed brick with limestone basement. On the main floor are library, reading and reference rooms. As the building is not quite completed, at this writing, no description can be given of its furnishings and equipment, but they will be of the most modern style. The building is spacious and handsome. Its dimensions are sixty-four by eighty-two feet, giving it a generous amount of floor space on two stories. The basement will also be adequately equipped throughout for library and educational uses.

Monticello Seminary has also a complete li¬ brary for the use of the school. It is carefully selected, mainly for educational reference work, and occupies a specially arranged room in the Seminary building. It contains three thousand volumes. In addition all, I believe, of the Catholic institutions and the public high schools of the county and academies have li¬ braries of their own for the use of students,

Large private libraries in Madison county are numerous, in addition to the theological, medical and legal libraries of professional men. Some of these private libraries are more costly and have almost as many volumes as some of the public collections. The fact that a public library was established in the county almost a hundred years ago showed that the people had a literary bent, even in pioneer days, and it has increased and expanded with the passing years.